Now for a busy November newsletter! But first …. did you know that the November Theatre is a Canadian theatre company committed to producing unique pieces with a heightened performing style that incorporates text, music, and movement? In 1998 it produced the world English premiere of the expressionist operetta The Black Rider, which was created through the collaboration of singer-songwriter Tom Waits, William S. Burroughs, and avant-garde stage director Robert Wilson. Well, if you didn’t you do now!! More November facts later!
INTER-SOCIETY QUIZ
The 2009 Inter-Society quiz, hosted by Claremont Dramatic Society, will take place on Sunday 22 November at the Masque Theatre, 18:30 for 19:00. We already have one team comprising Angela Lee-Wright, Celia Musikanth, Raymond Rudolph and birga Thomas and are well on our way to fielding a second team. If you are interested email birgatom@iafrica.com. Team members have their entrance fee sponsored by MVDS. Spectators are welcome at R20 each – respond directly to adriankettle@telkomsa.net.
MEMBERS’ EVENING
By now you should have Wednesday, 25 November, diarised as our members’ evening. And are you ever in for a treat! The evening’s activities will start promptly at 19:30 with oodles of entertainment being provided by our members. Aside from a variety of pasta dishes (with a vegetarian option) prepared by members of our willing and able committee, the evening will end with champagne and chocolate for a birthday toast! And it is FREE, GRATIS and FOR NOTHING to you as members with your guests paying a paltry R10! As usual a minimal cash bar will be provided although you are more than welcome to bring your own tipple. So, for catering purposes please advise birga on 021 7885272 (just be patient and you will get a message tone) or email birgatom@iafrica.com before 20 November.
PAST PRODUCTION
Mothers of the Criminal Element did exceptionally well for the Masque with 117 bums-on-seats over only four shows! Well done and we hope that cast and crew are enjoying a break before tackling their next projects.
EVENTS TO DIARISE
Return from Oz written and directed by Yvonne Copley for Claremont Dramatic Society at the Masque Theatre from 20 to 28 November. Ever wondered what happened to Dorothy when she clicked her red shoe heels together? This light-hearted story tracks Dorothy’s journey with her three friends as they travel back to Kansas. Full of familiar songs from The Wizard of Oz that dovetail with popular songs. Great family entertainment. Extra show at 15:00 on Sun 20 Nov. Matinees R60 (Theatre Club members R50); Children under 12 are R40 for matinees; all evening shows R70 (R60). Bookings on 021-7881898
Rodgers & Hart – ‘A Celebration’ presented by Milnerton Players at the Milnerton Playhouse from 27 November to 12 December 2009. A revue with music and lyrics by this renowned song writing team, directed by Sheila McCormick, concept by Richard Lewine & John Fearnley and musical direction by Keith Benjamin. Bookings on 021 5573206, 0822671061 or macdram@absamail.co.za. R60 evenings and R50 matinees
Laughing Room Only a compilation of three hilarious comedies performed by the brilliant Deon Bisschoff and the Waterfront Theatre Company at the Masque Theatre from 02 to 19 December (Wed to Sat & Sun 13th). Matinees at 15:00 R50 (Theatre Club members R40). Evenings at 19:30 R60 (R50). Bookings on 021-7881898
A Christmas Carol, A Pantomime presented by Pinelands Players at the Little Theatre, Gardens, from 4 to 19 December 2009. Evening shows (19:30) R80, Matinees (14:30) R80 adults, R40 children under 12. A traditional pantomime with music, dance, comedy, dames and audience participation. Info and bookings on http://www.pinelandsplayers.co.za or 0729231035
WELL WISHES
Our “hearts” are with Lieske Bester and Brian Commins, the former having recently received a pace-maker and the latter having had a heart attack a little while back. Both of them were however seen at the Masque recently – you can’t keep a good am-drammer down!
WELCOME
We welcome John Dickerson and Bronwyn Garlick to MVDS and hope they will both join us on 25 November 2009.
THE DELIBERATE MISTAKE
When I was blathering on last month about months and calendars and stuff, I had a “finger slip” and typed Georgian instead of Gregorian which mistake was picked up by the alliterative duo of Raymond Rudolph and Simon Sutton. Just checking that you actually READ this missive, guys!
AUDITIONS
Fish Hoek Dramatic Society’s audition for their April production of Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero will be held at 2.30pm on Saturday November 21 at the Methodist Church Hall, Muizenberg. The production requires four women (ages 30 to 65+) and seven men (ages 18 to 65+). Enquiries to Jane Philbrick, Director, on 021 782 3608 (a/h)
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Milnerton Players are having auditions for their March production, Educating Rita, at the Playhouse on Sunday 29 November at 14.00. For more info contact Yvonne Copley, Director, on 083 441 9937
A SPECIAL OFFER
Ex-MVDS’ members Wendy and Trevor Le Gonidec moved to Robertson a while back and have asked me to share the following special offer with you:
Hi Evie,
Thank you for your MADS newsletters. I find it great to hear what’s going on in the amdram world. I for one miss the stage terribly, and I wonder how far afield your newsletters go to ex-thespians. Anyway, I’d like you to tell everyone that Wendy & I have now started a B&B here in Robertson. Unfortunately as yet they don’t have a dramatic society but I’m working on it. Apart from that we’re enjoying Robertson immensely. Being in the heart of a wine growing area is wonderful. The river, mountains, walks, and country life are a bonus. We’d love to see people involved in the stage, so please tell everyone that we are offering a 10% reduction on our B&B rates for members of any of the societies in the Cape. Just give us a ring on 023 626 5507 and advise us that you wish to take up this amdram offer or email us at wendytrevor@telkomsa.net.
Best of luck in all current shows on the go! Cheers, Wendy and Trevor
BIRTHDAYS
Few and far between they are for December!!
Starting with Jane De Sousa on the 2nd, on which day in 1978 Neil Diamond and Barbra Striesand’s “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” hit number 1 AND Britney Spears, singer, songwriter, dancer and entertainer was born in Mississippi in 1981!
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Then we have a l..o..o..n..g gap to Andre Thomas on the 27th on which day in 1991 the “Carol Burnett Show” last aired on CBS-TV AND Thomas Wilson Brown, who acted as Jason in Knots Landing, was born in 1972.
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Tracey Cahill and Beverley Webster share the last day of the month with Joanna Johnson who acts as Caroline in Bold and Beautiful and was born in 1961. The day, incidentally, that The London Eye, the world’s largest Ferris wheel, was opened in 1999.
THE YEAR AHEAD
Our AGM will take place on Wednesday, 27 January 2010. This of course includes awards for the previous year’s shows which means …. all those who received trophies for 2008 need to return them!! A good plan would be to bring them to the members’ evening or hand to any member of the committee. Improbable Fiction, our production for February, is fully cast and has started rehearsals. The Cape Amateur Theatre awards evening is scheduled to happen on Sunday 28th March at the Masque Theatre – more details next year. We may have some very exciting news regarding our third and final slot for 2010 but you will have to wait a while ….
MORE ABOUT NOVEMBER …
Since this newsletter was going to be more than three pages and since I HATE sending out one side blank to the snail-mailers, I did a little searching for more interesting November facts and came up with:
Novembers Doom is a death/doom metal band from Chicago, Illinois. They are currently signed to The End Records and are one of the earliest U.S. doom/death metal bands that are still active today.
The November Moth (Epirrita dilutata) is a moth of the family Geometridae and is found throughout Europe. The wingspan is 38–44 mm, the forewings being variably marked with alternating pale and dark bands. The caterpillar is green with red markings and feeds on a wide range of trees and shrubs.
“November Spawned a Monster” is a song by Morrissey, released as a single in 1990. The track is one of Morrissey’s personal favourites, something shown in the high number of times it has been played live by the singer. The song tackles the plight of the disabled, a remarkable subject matter for a pop single. As ever with Morrissey the tone and sentiments are riddled with ambiguity. His use of words such as ‘monster’ and ‘twisted’ creates a strange mix of revulsion, sympathy and black comedy, all used to enlighten, and disturb, the audience. By forcing the ambivalent persona of tormentor and saviour, Morrissey forces the listener to confront their own prejudices head on.
Well, having now happily filled up the page …
till next month then
Eve
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/ yolanda@gilbertandsullivan.co.za. Guilma’s contact details: 084 589 1812
Claremont Dramatic Society 